The shocking thing about today's Gospel is how these two disciples had locked themselves in discouragement. They had all the evidence available to them about Christ's Resurrection - and they can explain the facts to him without realizing who he is - but their conclusion is to give up and walk away.
Truly "their eyes were not able to recognize him." or rather his lack of hope prevented him from doing so. Just as unbelief is possible in the face of all facts, so too can there be a stubborn resistance to hope. They were good men, but it took an extraordinary manifestation of Jesus to shake them out of their despair.
They explain how Jesus had been rejected by the chief priests and the rulers, who had condemned him to death and crucified him. They express what had been their hope, now turned into disillusionment: "We were hoping he was going to liberate Israel.". They then give an excellent summary of the events of the Resurrection: "We are already on the third day since this happened. It is true that some women of our group have startled us, for having gone very early in the morning to the tomb, and not having found his body, they came saying that they had even seen an apparition of angels, who say that he is alive. Some of our people also went to the tomb and found him as the women had said; but they did not see him."
The key is not the facts, but how we read them. And too often we read the events of life with a hermeneutic of despair, not hope. But how does Jesus undo his discouragement? There are many lessons for us.
First of all, walking with them, accompanying them, even if they are going in the wrong direction and talking nonsense. The simple act of listening can be a saving act. "He came up and walked with them.". A few appropriate questions help to bring out the full potential of the "pus" of their despondency. Let us not rush to speak; let us rather let people say what they have to say, however wrong they may be.
Jesus then reproaches them for their slowness to believe in the revelation. Very occasionally it is necessary to speak forcefully to bring people to their senses. Our Lord points them to Scripture and the necessary role of suffering in our salvation. We can encourage people to meditate on biblical passages that help them make sense of their situation, reminding them that a willingness to suffer is a key part of the Christian message.
Jesus then shows himself willing to change his plans and spend more time with them, sharing a meal. The time and the meal do much to bring the people out of lethargy. But the meal becomes Eucharist, and they recognize Jesus, returning to Jerusalem with joy.
Time, patience, listening, reference to the Scriptures, teaching the value of suffering, helping others to encounter Christ the Eucharist. These are the basic elements for recovering lost hope.
Homily on the readings of Sunday III of Easter (A)
The priest Luis Herrera Campo offers its nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.
